Abstract: Polymeric absorbents are extensively used in the separation systems. In this paper, the
preparation and characterization of a polymeric absorbent is considered. For this purpose Polyvinyl
alcohol (PVA) films were prepared and then crosslinked by radiation method using gamma-ray and
chemical methods by the use of Glutaraldehyde solution. In the chemical method, the reaction with and
without sulphuric acid and in the radiation method the reaction in dry and also aqueous media containing
acid were carried out. The gel content, water uptake and tensile properties were measured for all samples.
The results showed that the radiation method in aqueous media containing acid led to the maximum gel
formation. In addition, the radiation method led to the formation of films with more flexibility. Nickel
and Manganese adsorptions were measured on the crosslinked films, which were obtained by the
radiation and chemical methods. These measurements were made as a function of pH and also the
concentration of metal ion in the solution. The maximum metal adsorption was found at pH=7. In
addition, with increasing the metal ion concentration the amount of ion adsorption was increased. In
general, our studies showed that an absorbent which is prepared by the radiation method is suitable for
water adsorption and another formed by the chemical method is desirable in ion adsorption processes.
Keywords: Polyvinyl Alcohol, Radiation Crosslinking, Chemical Crosslinking, Mechanical
Properties, Metal Ion Adsorption